In the middle of the Great Depression, New York City mayor, Fiorello LaGuardia, strived to live with the people. It was not unusual for him to ride with the firefighters, raid with the police, or take field trips with orphans. On a bitterly cold night in January of 1935, the mayor turned up at a night court that served the poorest ward of the city. LaGuardia dismissed the judge for the evening and took over the bench himself. Within a few minutes, a tattered old woman was brought before him, charged with stealing a loaf of bread. (8 cents/loaf) She told the mayor that her daughter’s husband had left, her daughter was sick, and her two grandchildren were starving.
However, the shopkeeper, from whom the bread was stolen, refused to drop the charges. "It’s a real bad neighborhood, your Honor," the man told the mayor. "She’s got to be punished to teach other people around here a lesson."
LaGuardia sighed. He turned to the woman and said, "I’ve got to punish you. The law makes no exceptions. Ten dollars or ten days in jail." Even as he pronounced sentence, the mayor was already reaching into his pocket. He extracted a bill and tossed it into his famous hat, saying, "Here is the ten dollar fine which I now remit; and furthermore I am going to fine everyone in this courtroom fifty cents for living in a town where a person has to steal bread so that her grandchildren can eat. Mr. Baliff, collect the fines and give them to the defendant."
The following day, New York City newspapers reported that $47.50 (Average Wadge = $30 wk) was turned over to a bewildered woman who had stolen a loaf of bread to feed her starving grandchildren. Fifty cents of that amount was contributed by the grocery store owner himself, while some seventy petty criminals, people with traffic violations, and New York City policemen, each of whom had just paid fifty cents for the privilege of doing so, gave the mayor a standing ovation.
Romans 8:34KJV
34 Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.
v. 33 -“lay any thing to the charge” - To Accuse
v. 34 - “Condemneth” - to judge, to damn
Mk 16:18 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned (Same Word)
Romans 8:1KJV
1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. > John 3:18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God
❶. The Attorney’s Case
The accusing whisper comes —
1. “I have sinned against a great God.”
- “It is Christ that died.”
2. “I have robbed God of His glory.”
- “Christ has died,” and has brought the glory back
3. “I have sinned willfully!”
- Jesus willingly died for me, the willful sinner.
4. “I have sinned with delight.”
- My Lord delighted to come to be my Savior.
5. “I have refused Christ & trusted others.”
- Christ always would always have me.
❷. The Attorney’s Duty.
It is —
1. To study the prisoner’s case, and understand it thoroughly.
2. To be passionate for the accused
3. To stand and plead his cause.
4. To obtain his deliverance.
— Christ does all this.
❸ The Attorney’s Defense
Four Reasons Why I Cannot Be Condemned.
1. “It is Christ that died.”“
— “It is Christ that died.”
1. He died fulfilling Scripture
Luke 24:25-27KJV
25 Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken: 26 Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory? 27 And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.
2. He Died to Pay Sin’s Penalty.
Rom 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
3. He died demonstrating God’s love to a lost world
Rom 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
4. He Died To save sinners.
1 Cor 1:18 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.
2. It Is Christ That Rose Again
— “Yea rather, that is risen again”
(1) Christ really did rise
1 Corinthians 15:3-8KJV
3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; 4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: 5 And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: 6 After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep. 7 After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles. 8 And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time.
(2) His rising shows that sins cost has been paid in full
Acts 2:24KJV
24 Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: .....
(3) He rose to bring life Sp & eternally
3. It is Christ Who Has Authority & Power
— “even at the right hand of God,”
(1) His honor Heb 1:3
Hebrews 1:3KJV
3 Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;
(2) His happiness Ps 16:11
Psalm 16:11KJV
11 Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.
(3) His power Mk 14:62;
Mark 14:61-62KJV
61 But he held his peace, and answered nothing. Again the high priest asked him, and said unto him, Art thou the Christ, the Son of the Blessed? 62 And Jesus said, I am: and ye shall see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.
By which He will destroy —
(a) Satan Heb 2:14
(b) Sin 1 Jn 3:8
(c) Death 1 Cor 15:26, 55, 56; Hosea 13:14
4. It Is Christ Who Prays for Us
— “Who also maketh intercession for us,”
(1) Appearing for us before God
Hebrews 9:24KJV
24 For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us:
(2) Pleading our cause
1 John 2:1KJV
1 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:
(3) The Father always hearing Him Mt.17:5
Matthew 17:5KJV
5 While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.
❹ The Attorney’s Council
I Need To Know The Truth
1. I am guilty
2. There is no way of escape but by Christ
3. All who come will be saved
4. If I come by faith there is no condemnation
